As mentioned in an earlier post, British Royal family had a lavish ceremony earlier this month and millions of fans from around the world joined in. But I was focused on a milestone in a much more modest House of Windsor as my fictional Ms Windsor becomes a three-book series.

In my new novel, Lyrics for the Loved Ones, Matty watches a ceremony almost on the scale of the Coronation. Although a little confused by the pomp of Trooping the Colour, which marked the Queen’s official birthday, it provides the inspiration for her quest to stage an elaborate performance for her own centenary.

I’ve shared this scene here:

Jubilation in the House of Windsor « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

After half a century confined in a psychiatric hospital, Matty has moved to a care home on the Cumbrian coast. Next year, she’ll be a hundred, and she intends to celebrate in style. Yet, before she can make the arrangements, her ‘maid’ goes missing.

Irene, a care assistant, aims to surprise Matty with a birthday visit from the child she gave up for adoption as a young woman. But, when lockdown shuts the care-home doors, all plans are put on hold.

But Matty won’t be beaten. At least not until the Black Lives Matter protests burst her bubble and buried secrets come to light.

Will she survive to a hundred? Will she see her ‘maid’ again? Will she meet her long-lost child?

Rooted in injustice, balanced with humour, this is a bittersweet story of reckoning with hidden histories in cloistered times.

Follow this link to purchase a copy: books2read.com/LovedOnes